Experts are warning of salmon shortages in the UK after three quarters of the country has been officially declared in drought and a fifth heatwave has sent temperatures soaring.

Impact on Salmon Supply

Salmon is the most imported and exported fish in the UK, but global disruptions to the supply chain, overfishing, and unpredictable weather mean shortages could be on the horizon.

Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency, stated that the country is currently using water quicker than nature can replenish it. July saw just 7 percent of expected rainfall, falling to 1 percent across southern England, and there is still no substantial rain on the way.

The low rainfall and soaring temperatures have resulted in extremely high rates of evaporation from the ground, leaving soil, plants, and crops without water and resulting in a flash drought. This has already been observed on local wildlife, with a lack of rainfall to top up spawning pools and increased evaporation significantly impacting the breeding success of species such as natterjack toads.

Migratory fish, like Atlantic salmon, are unable to move upstream because of reduced river flows. An expert from The Wildlife Trusts revealed that the impact of this weather is devastating for wildlife, particularly for species that depend on wetter habitats like wetlands, peatlands, and rivers.

Stan Smith, head of species and landscape recovery at The Wildlife Trusts, explained that drought reduces river flows, increases water temperatures, and lowers oxygen levels, making conditions stressful or even fatal for fish. As a migratory species, Atlantic salmon need sufficient river flows to reach their spawning grounds, while low water levels can prevent them from moving upstream.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has also warned that more food shortages can be expected if the current drought conditions continue, saying yields of wheat and oats were very poor this year.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.